Taylor council postpones decision on Big League Brews license after hours of testimony and debate

A divided Taylor City Council on June 27 paused a contentious appeal over the mayor’s suspension of Big League Brews’ business license and moved the matter to Aug. 6, 2025, after several hours of testimony from the bar’s owner, attorneys, the police chief and dozens of patrons and neighbors.

Owner Matt Taylor and his lawyers told the council the suspension process violated the establishment’s right to due process. “I feel my due process was very much so violated,” Taylor said, noting he received a text message and only hours’ notice before city officials presented a suspension order. Attorney Seth Tompkins said the city provided no prior written evidence of allegations and pointed to the absence of prior municipal citations in 15 years. “Three hours notice before issuing a violation to suspend a license … is not due process,” Tompkins said.

Police and the mayor pressed the opposite case, citing recent violence and a prolonged pattern of calls for service. Police Chief John Blair told the council his investigators and patrol supervisors reported the establishment was ‘‘out of control’’ and presented a run tally of incidents he said totaled about 160 entries over three years. Blair said staff recommended some operational limits to reduce risk. “My guys are here to protect me… the place is out of control,” he said.

Mayor Tim Wooley described safety concerns tied to a recent shooting and said he had initially discussed a longer suspension but offered a narrower alternative to the council during the meeting: a two-week suspension from July 2 to July 16 and, separately, four weeks of reduced Friday–Saturday alcohol hours (alcohol sales to cease at 9:30 p.m., close at 10 p.m.). He framed the reduction as a compromise aimed at protecting residents and employees while avoiding a full 60-day shutdown.

Litigation counsel for Big League Brews, Jocelyn Monahan, and Tompkins argued the city’s June 17 meeting with the owner did not satisfy the notice and evidence requirements in Chapter 10 of the Taylor code of ordinances. Counsel cited federal court rulings in a prior, related case (ChristNet) where a judge found substantial due-process concerns and warned that upholding the suspension could expose the city to litigation risk.

Public testimony filled much of the evening. More than two dozen current and former employees, patrons and neighbors spoke. Supporters described the bar as a community hub that provides benefits, paid time off and health insurance to staff; some said closing or restricting the business would harm employees and community programs. Neighbors and some council members said recorded incidents and calls for service had become a recurring drain on public safety resources and that action was necessary.

After nearly three hours of public comment and council discussion, Councilwoman Brandana moved, and Councilwoman Daniels seconded, to postpone the public hearing on the suspension to Aug. 6, 2025; the motion carried by voice vote. The postponement keeps the mayor’s suspension administratively stayed, allowing the business to operate while the council and city staff prepare additional materials and seek possible negotiated remedies.

What’s next: The council asked the police to assemble a clearer breakdown of the calls-for-service data requested by council members and encouraged city attorneys and the business to pursue a negotiated solution before the Aug. 6 hearing. Until the next meeting, the suspension remains in effect on paper but stayed while appeal proceedings continue.